I'm still working through my fan collection; fans I've bought over the past 4 decades because they caught my eye, or were too pretty to pass by while out in Europe buying antiques. Tucked away, I'd nearly forgotten I have so many, and I'm working through them now. I hope they'll all go to very appreciative serious collectors. This one looks so much like those of a century earlier, French Empire but revival period. Slightly larger than the 1st Empire ones, and also appropriately finer condition. I have one listed right now that is the older original period French Empire, and which looks a good deal like this one but is a little smaller, more fragile. Be sure to see it, though. In this one, you have horn, pique-worked and I think, rather than silk mesh, it might be "tulle Menier", or "Menier" onto which the thousands of sequins are worked in that leaf. I'm grateful for the help from my friends who are experts in fans, and can fill in where my expertise falls short. I collect for beauty and art of these old ones.
Very good to excellent condition, no breaks (2 of the bone sticks were, at some point, loose I guess, and have thread wrapped around their mount to the horn (you see them right of center in the first photo - if I were more confident or motivated, I'd have clipped it, glued and clamped each). It is sturdy as shown, will display beautifully. I'm not so sure about using these old beauties. I will also note, the menier or mesh has a split at the fold to left end of fan, visible in our photos, and is away from guard at right side of 1st image, about 2" of it nearer the top end. It doesn't show in display, but it needs a 'something' perhaps, someday, there. Again, opens beautifully and displays with such a rich elegance. I am fascinated at the hand stitched sequins and while I thin there must be some missing, it can't be many. There are thousands of them, I think. This one does not come with a box. It does have original silk tassel, though. Fabulous fan!
